Dehydrator



" F. MAUS.v

DEHYDRATOR.

` AlPLICATlON FILED FEB. l0, 192!- m.. QN MMM F. MAUS.

DEHYDRATOR.

APPLlcATioN FILED FEB. 10, 1921.

1,402,306, Patented J an. 3, 1922.,

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ATTORNEY F. MAUS.

DEHYDRATOR.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. Io, 1921.

Patented Jan. 35 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Il" 42 Q27/ INVENTOR ATTORNEY UNET FRANK MAUS, OF SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA,'ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF To sIEBREN J.

SPOELSTRA, OF SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA.

DEHYDRATOR.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 3, 1922.

` Application led February 10, 1921. Serial No. 444,006.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK MAUs, a citizen of the United States, andresident of San Jose, in the county of Santa Clara and.

State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Dehydrators, of which the following is a specification.

It is the object of this invention to provide a dehydrator for nuts,prunes and other material which may be adapted to use any one of severaldilferent processes of dehydration,

or certain combinations of said processes,

reference being made to my co-pending applications as follows Method ofdehydration and apparatus therefor, Serial No. 438,713, filed Jan. 20,1921. Y

Method of cooling and dehydrating materials, Serial No. 441,608, iledFeb. 1, 1921.

' Method of and, apparatus for dehydrating materials, Serialo.441,609,1iled Feb. 1, 1921.

Method of and apparatus for dehydrating materials, Serial No. 441,610,filed Feb. 1, 1921.

Method of and apparatus for dehydrating materials, Serial No. 442,261,filed Feb. 3, 1921.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical and longitudinal section through a dehydratorembodying my invention, parts being broken away.

Figures 2 to 9 inclusive are diagrammatical illustrations showing theseveral adaptations of the same.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, l indicatesa dehydrationchamber` or tunnel provided with doors 2 2 and a track 3 over which aremoved trucks as 4 carrying trays\5 upon which are arranged the materialsto be treated. Arranged overchamber l is a conduit 6 having heatingelements 7 arranged therein supplied with steam or other suitableheating 'medium through a pipe as 8. A chamber is shown at9'communicating with conduit 6 through valve y10 and with the atmospherethrough valve 11, the said chamber also communicating with chamber 1through passage 12 and fan 13, the fan 13 being operated in any suitablemanner through the medium of pulley 14.

Arranged' over chamber 1 and conduit 6 and adjacent to` chamber 9 isshown a refrigerating chamber l5 fitted with baille plates 16 to formcompartments 16a-16b-16c-16d- 16?, in the latter four of which arearranged suitable refrigerating coils as 17. Refrigerating chamber 15 isprovided with a drain at 16f and air valves at 18 and 19 respectively,the former communicating with the atmosphere at the base of compartment16a and the latter communicating with the atmosphere at the upper Vendof compartment 16e.

.At 20 is shown a conduit arranged at a shght incline and extending fromrefrigeratlng chamber 15 to thevopposite end of chamber 1 with which itcommunicates through passage 21, ay fan 23 being located therein asshown. An air passage is shown at 22 communicating with conduit 20adjacent to fan23 and with conduit 6 through valve 24. A plurality oflpipes 25 are shown communicating .with the lower portion of compartment16a in chamber 15 and extending through conduit 20 to a point adjacentto passage 22 where they terminate in a plate 26 lforming the upper endof passage 27 positioned adacent to passage 22 and communicating withconduit 6. The How of air lthrough passage 27 is controlled by valve 24which is pivoted at 28 and operated in any suitable manner as by a rod29. Conduit 20 discharges into the atmosphere through valve 30 and pipe31, or intov compartment 16e of chamber 15 through valve 32.

At the end of conduit 20 adjacent to fan "23 is provided an airy valve33 through land the latter communicating with the atmosphere throughdischarge pipe 39. Conduit 20 has a division wall mounted therein as at40 extending above pipes 25 and forming opening 41 'which may be' closedby valve 38.

. Assuming the fansto be in operation and the several valves to bearranged as shown, the air is circulated through chamber 15, pipes 25,passage 27, conduit 6, chamber 9, fan 13, chamber 1, passage 21, fan 23,conduit 2() and through open valve 32 back into chamber thereby formingaclosed circuit dehydrator. In this arrangement the material treated .ispassed through chamber When this temperature is not su'liciently highthe heating elements in conduit 6 are used to provide the requiredadditional heat.

In the embodiment` shown in Figure 2 valves 19 and 30 are open and valve32 is closed so that air is drawn from the atmosphere through valve 19into chamber 15, then passed through the dehydrator as above describedand discharged therefrom through the open valve 30 into pipe 31 andthence to the atmosphere. In this arrangement the air is drawndirectlyfrom the atmosphere, cooled and dried in chamber 15, and thenpassed through conduits 25 Where it picks up heat from the exhaust airfrom the dehydration chamber 1, the latter surrendering a large portionof its heat to the said air in pipes 25 and finally discharging into theatmosphere.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 3 valve 35 is lopen and valve 33opened an the other valves arranged so that the air entering throughvalve 35passes through the conduit 20 around pipes 25, thence throughvalve 32, chamber 15, pipes 25, passage 27, conduit 6, chamber 9, fan13, chamber v.1, passage 21, fan 23 and valve 33 to pipe 34 and thenceto the atmosphere. In this arrangement of valves the air drawn from theatmosphere is utilized to raise the temperature of the cold dry air inpipes 23 to a point approaching atmospheric temperature. Any additionalheat required is provided by heat- 'ing elements 7. In this as in allthe other embodiments of the invention, the material being'treated movesthrough chamber 1 in a direction opposite to the direction of the airflovv therethrough.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, valve 41 4is closed and valves 38and 37 are opened and the other valves are arranged so that the air isdrawn from the atmosphere throughv valve 37 into conduit 2O and passedaround pipes 25, thence through valve 32,

chamber' 15, pipes 25, passage 27, conduit 6, chamber 9, fan 13, chamber1, passage 21, fan 23 and again through a portion of conduit 2O andaround pipes 25, thence through' valve 38 and pipe 39 to the atmosphere.In this arrangement the air at atmospheric temperature is utilized topartially raise the temperature of the air in pipes 25 and the same airafter being 4exhausted from the chamber 1 is again utilized to stillfurther raise the temperature of the air in pipes 25 before again being`discharged into the atmosphere.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 5 valve 18 is opened and thrown intothe position 18a Where it closes off compartment 16a and permits air tobe drawn directly from the atmosphere into pipes 25, the refrigeratinchamber not being used. The other va ves are now arranged so that theair now moves through pipes 25, passage 27, conduit 6, chamber 9, fan13, passage 12, chamber 1, passage 21, fan 23 and conduit 20 aroundpipes 25 t0 valve 30, through which it passes into pipe 31 and thence tothe atmosphere. In this arrangement the dehydration air is drawndirectly from the atmosphere into pipes 25 and therein heated to atemperature approaching thaty ofthe exhaust dehydration airat its` ointof discharge into conduit 20, and by eat extracted from said exhaustdehydration air, before it is passed through conduit 6 to chamber 1. Theheating elements 7 are used, of course, ifI additional heat is requiredto raise the temperature of the air discharged from pipes 25 to asuitable point. i

In the embodiment shown in Figure 6 valve 11 is open and valve 10 closedand the other valves arranged so that air is drawn from the atmosphereintoV chamber 9, then passed through fan 13, passage 12, chamber 1,passage 21, fan 23, conduit 20, valve 33 and pipe 34 to' the atmosphere.In this arrangement dry atmospheric air is passed directly through thedehydration chamber and discharged therefrom Without the precooling andheating hereinbefore described.

In the embodiment shovvn in Figure 7, the valve 18 is opened to theposition 18a to close off the refrigerating chamber 15, and the othervalves' are arranged so that the air is passed through pipes 25,`passage27, conduit 6, chamber 9, fan 13, chamber 1, passage 21, fan`23, conduit20, valve 33 and pipe 34 to the atmosphere. In this arrangement the airis drawn directly from the atmosphere and passed into conduit 6 andchamber` 1 Without precooling and is heated only through the use of theheating elements 7.

The same result is obtained if the air is l closing 01T therefrigeration chamber, and a second portion 18b is opened a distance asshown thereby limiting the air inflow, and valve 24 is swung to theposition shown to partly close off passage 22, the valve 30 being partlyopen and the other valves being arranged so that the air flows throughpipes 25 to passage 27 thencethrough conduit/6, chamber 9, fan 13,chamber 1, passage 21, fan 23, and into conduit 20. Since the air inflowis throttled down by valve 18", and since valve 24 is partly opened aportion of the air Howing into conduit 20 is drawn through valve 24 intoconduit 6 and recirculated through the dehydrator, the balance passingon to valve 30, pipe 31 and thence to the atmosphere. This arrangementis utilized, for instance, when the dehydration air discharged intoconduit 2O does not carry sufficient moisture to warrant its entiredischarge from the dehydrator, heat energy being conserved byrecirculating a portion of the said dehydration air through thedehydration chamber.

In Figure 9 the valves are arranged in a manner similar to thatdescribed in connection with Figure 8 except that the valves arearranged so that `the air is discharged from the dehydration chamberthrough the partly opened valve 33 into pipe 34 and thence t0 theatmosphere, this exhaust air not being used `for raising the temperatureof the inlovving air.

It may now be seen that a dehydrator of this type may be adapted for useunder every atmospheric condition as to temperature and humidity, andfor various methods of heat recovery, and also throughout a widevariation in the treatment of the material introduced into chamber 1.`The treatment of the material varies of course', according to thenature of the dition and temperature when introduced into the chamber,and the result desired upon its discharge therefrom.

It is to be understood, of course, that while I have herein shown anddescribed the particular form of the invention deemed most practical,changes in form, construction and method of operation may be made withinthe scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1.r A dehydrator including a dehydration chamber, -a refrigerationchamber, a conduit connec-ting the air discharge end of the dehydrationchamber with one end of the refrigeration chamber, a valve controlledport between said conduit and chamber, a conduit connecting the airreceiving' end of the dehydration chamber with the other end of therefrigeration chamber, one conduit having a portion of its lengthenclosed bythe other conduit, means for creating a circulation of airthrough said conduits and chami bers, a valve controlled air inlet portto the material and its con;4

refrigeration chamber, and a valve controlled air discharge port fromthe'irst mentioned conduit at the end thereof adjacent saidrefrigeration chamber.

2. A dehydrator including a dehydration chamber, a refrigerationchamber, a conduit connecting the air discharge end of the dehydrationchamber with one end of the refrigeration chamber, a valve controlledport between said conduit and chamber, a conduit connecting the airreceiving end of the dehydration chamber with the other end of therefrigeration chamber, one conduit having a portion of its lengthenclosed by the other conduit, means for creating a circulation of airthrough said conduits and chambers, a valve controlled air inlet port tothe refrigeration chamber, a valve controlled air discharge port fromthe first mentioned conduit at the end thereof adjacent to saidrefrigeration chamber, and air inlet and discharge ports at .the airreceiving end thereof, and means for closing said conduit Iat a pointbetween said inlet and discharge ports last mentioned. i

3. A dehydrator including a dehydration chamber, a refrigerationchamber, a conduit connecting the air discharge end of the dehydrationchamber with one end of the re.

frigeration'chamber, a valve controlled port between said conduit andchamber, a conduit connecting the air receiving end of the dehydrationchamber with the other end of the Y refrigeration chamber, one conduithavin a portion of its length enclosed bythe other conduit, means forcreating a circulation of air through said conduits and chambers, aValve controlled air inlet port tothe refrigeration chamber, a valvecontrolled air discharge port .from the 'first mentioned conduit at theend thereof adjacent to said refrigeration chamber, and air inlet anddischarge vports arranged intermediate the length thereof, and means forclosing said conduit at av point between said last mentioned inlet anddischarge ports.

4. A dehydrator including a dehydration chamber, a refrigerationchamber, a conduit connecting the air discharge end of thedehydrationchamber with one end of the refrigeration chamber, a valve controlledport between said conduit and chamber, a conduit connecting the airreceiving end of the dehydration chamber with the other end of therefrigeration chamber, one conduit having a portion of its lengthenclosed .by the other conduit, means for creating a circulation of airthrough said conduits and chambers, a valve controlled air inlet port tothe refrigeration chamber, a valve controlled air discharge port fromconduit at the end thereof adjacent to said refrigeration chamber,' airinlet and ydischarge ports at the air receiving end thereof, means forclosing said conduit loo 125 the first mentioned at a point between saidinletand discharge ports, and air inlet and discharge ports arrangedintermediate the length of said conduit, and means for closing saidconduit at a point between said last mentioned inlet and dischargeports.

5. A dehydrator including' a dehydration chamber, a refrigerationchamber, a conduit connecting the air discharge end of the dehydrationchamber with one end of therefrigeration chamber, a conduit connectingthe air receiving end of the dehydration chamber with the other end ofthe refrigeration chamber, one conduit having a portion of its lengthenclosed by the other conduit,

means lfor creating a circulation of air through said conduits andchambers, an air inlet port to the refrigeration chamber, anairdischarge port from vthe first mentioned `conduit at the end thereofadjacent to the said refrigeration chamber, air inlet and dischargeports at the air receiving end thereof, means for closing said conduitat a point between said last mentioned inlet and discharge ports, airinlet and discharge ports arranged intermediate the length of saidconduit, and means for closing said conduit at a point between said lastmentioned inlet and discharge ports.

6. A dehydratorincluding a dehydration chamber, a refrigeration chamber,a conduit connecting the air discharge end of the dehydration chamberwith one end of the refrigeration chamber, a conduit connecting the airreceiving end of' the dehydration chamber with the other end of therefrigeration chamber, one conduit having a portion of its lengthenclosed by the other conduit, means for creating a circulation of airthrough said conduits and chambers, an air inlet port to therefrigeration chamber, an

air discharge port from the first mentioned conduit at the end thereofadjacent to said refrigeration chamber, air inlet and discharge ports atthe air receiving end of said conduit, and means for closing saidconduit at a point between said inlet and discharge ports.

7 A dehydrator including a dehydration chamber, a refrigeration chamber,a conduit connecting the air discharge end of the dehydration chamberwith one end of the refrigeration chambeig'a conduit connecting the airreceiving end of the dehydration chamber with the other end of therefrigeration chamber, one conduit having a portion' of its lengthenclosed by the other conduit, means for creating a circulation of airthrough said conduits and chambers,

an air inlet port to the refrigeration chamber, an air discharge portfrom the irst mentioned conduit at the end thereof adjacent to saidrefrigeration chamber, air inlet and discharge ports arrangedintermediate the length of said conduit, and means forclosing saidconduit at a point between said last mentioned inlet and dischargeports.

8. As dehydrator including a dehydration.

chamber, a Irefrigeration chamber, a conduit extending from the airdischarge end of v v inlet port to the refrigeration chamber,i and avalve controlled air discharge port arranged in said first conduit atthe air .receiving end thereof, and means for closing said conduit at apoint adjacent to the said discharge prt to direct exhaust airtherethrou h.

9. dehydrator including a dehydration chamber, a refrigeration chamber,a'conduit extending from the air discharge end of the dehydrationchamber to a point adjacent to said refrigeration chamber anddischarging into the atmosphere, a conduit connecting the air receivingend of the dehydration chamber with the air discharge end of therefrigeration chamber, one conduit having a portion of its lengthenclosed by the other conduit, means for creating a circulation of airthrough said conduits and chambers, an inlet port to the refrigerationchamber, and a valve controlled air discharge port arranged in saidfirst mentioned conduit at a point intermediate its length, and, meansfor closing said conduit at a point adjacent to the said discharge portto direct exhaust air therethrough.

10. A dehydrator including' a dehydra- `circulation of air through saidconduits and chambers, an inlet port to the refrigeration chamber, avalve controlled air discharge port arranged in said rst mentionedconduit at the air receiving end thereof, ayvalve controlled air,discharge port arranged in said conduit intermediate its length, and

I neans for closing said conduit at points adjacent to said dischargeports to direct exhaust air therethrough.

l1. A 'dehydrator including a dehydration chamber, a refrigerationchamber, -a conduit connecting the air discharge and nf the dehydrationchamber with one end of said refrigeration chamber, a conduit connectingthe air receiving end of the dehydration chamber with the other end ofthe refrigerationy chamber, one conduit having a portion of its lengthenclosed by the other conduit, means for creating a circulation of airthrough said conduits and chambers, an air inlet port to therefrigeration chamber, means for introducing air into said secondconduit at a predetermined point in its length, a valve controlled airdischarge port in said first mentioned conduit at a point in the airreceiving end thereof, and means for closing said conduit at a pointadjacent to said last mentioned port to direct air therethrough.

12. Ai dehydrator including a dehydra' tion chamber, a refrigerationchamber, a conduit connecting the air discharge end of the dehydrationchamber with the air receiving end of the refrigeration chamber, aconduit connecting the air receiving end of the dehydration chamber withthe air discharge end of the refrigeration chamber, one conduit having aportion of its' length enclosed by the otherconduit, vmeans forycreating a circulation of air through said conduits and chambers, an airinlet port to the refrigeration chamber, a second air inlet port to therefrigeration chamber at a point adjacent to the connection of thesecond mentioned conduit thereto, means for closing said refrigerationchamber and opening said last mentioned port whereby said second conduitis supplied with air ldirect from the atmosphere, anl air discharge portfrom the rst mentioned conduit at the end thereof adjacent tothe airreceiving end thereof, and ymeans for closing said conduit at a pointadjacent Said last mentioned discharge port to exhaust air therethrough.v

13.- The structure provided with a between the said Set forth in claim11 valve controlled by-pass conduits whereby a partial recirculation ofthe'air is effected.

14. The structure set forth in claim 11 provided with a by-pass betweenthe said conduits and a valve operatively arranged with relation to boththe by-pass and one conduit.

' 15. The structure set forth in claim'l provided withlheating elementsarranged in they second conduit.

16.- A dehydrator including a dehydration chamber, an air supply conduitcommunicating therewith, an air exhaust conduit communicating therewith,one of said,con duits passing through the other conduit, meansI forcreating a circulation of air through said conduits and chamber, and aplurality of valve controlled air exhaust ports arranged at differentpoints in said air exhaust conduit.v

communicating therewith, one of said conduits passing through the otherconduit, means for creating a circulation of air through the saidconduits and chamber, and a plurality of valve controlled air inletports arranged at different points in said air supply conduit.

18. A dehydrator including a dehydration chamber,'an air supply conduitcommunicating therewith, an air exhaust -co'nduit communicatingtherewith, one ofsaid conduits passing through the other conduit, meansfor circulating air through said conduits and chamber, a plurality ofvalve controlled air exhaust ports arranged at different points in thelength of said air exhaust conduit, and a plurality of valve controlledair inlet ports arranged at different points in the length` of said airsupply conuit.

chamber, an air supply conduit communicating therewith, an air exhaustconduit communicating therewith, one of said conduits passing throughthe other conduit, means for circulating air through said conduits andchamber, a plurality of valve controlled exhaust ports arranged in saidexhaust conduit, a plurality of valve controlled air inlet portsarranged in said supply conduit, and means for cooling and drying theair before admitting the same to said air supply conduit.

20. A dehydrator including a dehydration cham-ber, an air supply conduitcommunicating therewith, an air exhaust conduit communicating therewith,one of said conduits passing through the "other conduit, means forcirculating air through said conduits and chamber, a plurality of valvecontrolled air exhaust ports arranged at different points in said -airexhaust conduit, and air heating means arranged in said air supP plyconduit.

21. A dehydrator including a dehydration chamber, an air supply conduitcommunicating. therewith, an air exhaust conduit communicatingtherewith, one of said co nduits passing ythrough the other conduit,means for creating a circulation 'of air throu h the said conduits andchamber, a plura ity of valve controlled .air inlet ports arranged atdi'erent pointsI 1n said air supply conduit, 'and air heating'meansarranged in said air supply conduit.

. 22. A dehydrator including a dehydration chamber, an air supplyconduit communicating therewith, an air exhaust conduit communicating'therewith, oneof said conduits passing through the other conduit, meansfor circulating air through said conduits and chamber, a pluralityv ofvalve controlled air exhaust ports arranged at dit ferent points in thelength of said air exhaust conduit, and a plurality of Valve controlledair inlet ports arranged at different points in the length of said airsupply conuit, and air heating means arranged in said air supplyconduit.v f

23. A dehydrator including a dehydration chamber, an air supply conduitcommunicating therewith, an air exhaust conduit communicating therewith,one of saidpconduitspassing through the other conduit,

air supply conduit, and air heating-means 20 arranged in Said airsupplyi conduit.

F ANK MAUS.

